By Christopher Johnson
It was a challenging weekend for local authorities, who found themselves dealing with a homebrewed Bonnie and Clyde scenario.
What started as a standard traffic stop quickly escalated into a major arrest involving drugs, a loaded handgun, and a stolen vehicle—with two suspects now behind bars in Clare County.
Just before noon on Saturday, July 19, a Clare County Sheriff’s Deputy pulled over a 2001 Toyota Tacoma on Surrey Road near Reiss Road. The traffic stop was prompted by an improper registration plate. Behind the wheel was 48-year-old Trenton James Dahl of Clare, with 47-year-old Sasha Nichole Ravens of Mount Pleasant riding as a passenger.
A check on Dahl revealed an outstanding warrant out of Isabella County. After both individuals were asked to exit the vehicle, Dahl gave the deputy permission to search the truck.
That’s when things took a turn.
While the deputy was examining the vehicle, Sasha attempted to walk off with a dog that had been riding in the truck. She was detained, and the dog was handed back to Dahl.
The deputy soon discovered a bag in the bed of the truck containing suspected methamphetamine and a loaded .357 Ruger revolver. At that point, both Dahl and Ravens bolted—taking off in opposite directions.
The deputy gave chase and apprehended Dahl a short distance away, sustaining a minor injury during the foot pursuit. He was treated at Clare ER and released later that day. Despite efforts from additional deputies, Clare City Police officers, and Michigan State Police troopers—including a K9 unit—Sasha remained at large and evasive until the next day.
A full search of the Tacoma revealed approximately 35 grams of meth in multiple packages, 8 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale, syringes, ammunition, and other paraphernalia.
Dahl was arrested on the spot and taken to the Clare County Jail. He now faces multiple felony charges, including: Delivery/Manufacture of Methamphetamine; Delivery/Manufacture of Heroin/Fentanyl; Resisting and Obstructing Police Causing Injury; Three counts of Felony Firearm; Unlawful Use of a License Plate; Operating an Unregistered Vehicle; No Vehicle Insurance. It’s almost like Dahl was going for the platinum trophy for crime.
He was arraigned in 80th District Court, where his bond was set at $200,000 (10%). He remains in custody. Sasha would soon join him.
On Sunday, July 20th, at 2:02 p.m. the Clare County Central Dispatch received a report from a resident of the 8000 block of south Coolidge Ave in the township of Grant, reporting a Ford F-150 had been stolen from the property, and was last seen traveling west on Surrey Rd. A Clare County Sheriff Sergeant and a Clare City Police Sergeant were able to locate this truck after witnesses reported it turned down a two track off of M-115. The two Sergeants began to follow the truck down the path, where the driver, who was later identified as Sasha was forced to turn around. Sasha was stopped and taken into custody. Sasha had been able to move the handcuffs from behind her to the front since fleeing Saturday. The handcuffs were again placed behind her back. A fixed blade knife was located on Sasha at the time of her arrest, concealed.
Sasha was lodged in the Clare County Jail. She was charged with one count of Resist and Obstruct of a Police Officer with Injury, one count of Escape Lawful Custody, and one count of Habitual Offender Fourth Offense Notice from the original incident on Saturday. She was further charged with one count of Motor Vehicle Unlawful Driving Away, one count of Carrying a Concealed Weapon, one count of Larceny Less than $200, and one count of Habitual Offender-Fourth Offense for the incident from July 20th. She was arraigned in the 80th District Court Clare County. Her bond was set at $50,000/10%. She remains lodged in the Clare County Jail.
